Let's jump right into it. Nose, first!

Oh. Oh, no. Why do they smell like this? 

Seriously, I'm pretty forgiving in terms or aroma, but had I not -just- bought these, and checked that best by date is May 2024, I'd think they'd gone rancid. 

Perhaps they were going for a sharp, provolone cheese, kind of thing here, but it smells like feet and rancid fryer oil. I hate it. And as a New Jersian, who has been adjacent to Philadelphia, the home of the cheesesteak, for 30+years...it's whiz-wit or bust, baby. 

The aroma is actually putting me off, so I am going to try a chip and hope for the best. 

2019: The Year of The Krimpet

Spice Kake Krimpets - CVS

Tastykake is kind of a big deal around here, especially in Philadelphia. They may not be as pop culture friendly as Twinkies, but they get their fair share of shout-out's, like in the Ol' Dirty Bastard song, "Brooklyn Zoo." Honestly, I was never much of a Tastykake fan, but, in a not-so-shocking twist of fate, my Philly-born fiance is a Butterscotch Krimpet addict. I honestly had no idea. Since I buy all the groceries, and I'm not into Tastykakes, I never kept them in the house, but it turns out that he was buying them from a vending machine at work... until they ran out. That's when I started buying them, and let me tell you, I have bought more Krimpets in 2019 than I have purchased in my entire life.

Little did I know, 2019 was going to be the year of the Krimpet. 

Herr's Chickie's & Pete's Famous Crab Fries Seasoned Chips - 7-Eleven

Herr's Chickie's & Pete's Famous Crab Fries Seasoned Chips 
w/White Creamy Cheese Sauce Flavoring - 7-Eleven

This is quite a long product name, maybe even the longest in Sometimes Foodie history! 

Chickie's and Pete's is a popular crab house/sports bar-chain that only exists in NJ and PA. As far as the atmosphere, it's very similar to a TGIFridays, but the menu (obviously) leans towards seafood. Fear not fish-haters, they offer non-seafood items, like hamburgers, pizza and cheesesteaks too. I mean, how can you sell food in PA without a Philly cheesesteak on the menu? You'd be kicked out of the city! This popular local restaurant chain teamed up with PA's favorite snack company, Herr's, to make chips flavored like their most popular menu item, the crab fries! Being the Jersey-girl-food-blogger that I am, I think I'd lose my east coast foodie card if I didn't give these a try. So I went to 7-Eleven and grabbed myself a bag.

Bar Hygge, Philadelphia, PA - Restaurant Review

Bar Hygge, Philadelphia, PA - Restaurant Review 

It's been ages since I've done a restaurant review! I don't really have a reason as to why it's taken me so long to get back out there and experience the foodie scene, other than I'm a food hoarding recluse, but Philly is right over the bridge and it has a lot to offer. 

Bar Hygge (pronounced HOO-gah) is one of the newest editions to the Philly food scene, and my step-dad and uncle did all it's carpentry! (Which is how I knew this place existed or how to pronounce it's name.) Bar Hygge brews it's own beer, makes unique appetizer boards and entrees (with vegan options), and the building is decorated with tons of recycled materials. It's hipster-y, which has become a dirty word in the food scene, but it all comes together nicely creating a cozy artsy atmosphere without being pretentious.

Philly Cheesesteak Pizza - Papa John's

Philly Cheesesteak Pizza - Papa John's

There's a new Papa John's pizza on the block, and it's attempting to emulate a food I grew up with, so the steaks (get it?) are high on this one. I am located in New Jersey, and Philadelphia, which is known for it's soft pretzels and cheesesteaks, is literally right next door. I grew up eating these things from all the great restaurants. Pat's. Geno's. You name it, I tried it. Although I am not loyal to any one restaurant, I know a real cheesesteak when I taste one. Can Papa John's actually do a good job with this one?